The Health Consequences of Smoking on the Human Body

A HISTORY OF THE REPORTS

Since 1871, the Surgeon General of the United States has been the nation's leading spokesman on matters of public health. Seventeen men and women have served in this important position. Vice Admiral Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S., was sworn in as Surgeon General on August 5, 2002.

Since 1964, 27 reports by the U.S. Surgeon General have kept the American people informed about the dangers of smoking. The reports have concluded that smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States. In the 40 years since the first report, smoking has killed an estimated 12 million Americans. While these statistics are alarming, the second significant conclusion in the most recent report is that quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits to your health. Find out how to quit smoking: www.smokefree.gov.

The reports draw their conclusions by analyzing scientific data gathered from around the world. They establish connections between the health effects and patterns of smoking. Many of the reports since 1964 have added to the list of diseases caused by smoking. There has never been any reason to reverse an earlier conclusion.